Mossberg Boomstick?

[Starvin]

Looking for a cheap 500 variant to tinker with/customize, have around for home defense, and keep on-hand for when the zombies come...

Can someone, in layman's terms, outline the differences in the 500/590 variants and point me in the right direction?

I want a model that has a short barrel with maximum capcity.

I'll likely throw a Knoxx SpecOps on it, so conventional vs. pistol OEM stocks are a non-issue.


Thanks in advance!

 

[icyclefar]

If you are not opposed to Remington, you could get Knoxx out of the box.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_tactical.asp

 

[BOBKATT]

I'll likely throw a Knoxx SpecOps on it, so conventional vs. pistol OEM stocks are a non-issue.

SpecOps works best with a Remington 870 because of the position of the safety. 870 safety is on the side of the reciever near the trigger guard, 500/590 is on the top/back of the reciever. Just incase your considering other shotgun options as well.

 

[icyclefar]

Great observation, while my HDS is the Remington 870, with what you pointed out I would never go with the SpecOps stock on a Mossberg now. It seems it would be difficult to reach the Mossberg safety without letting go with one hand.

As an additional note, you can NOT use an after market over sized safety on an 870 with the SpecOps stock.

 

[vellnueve]

Hmm... I don't even bother using safeties, but to each his own.

 

[Gonzo]

Safety? What's that?

 

[BOBKATT]

Safety? What's that?

Something that you can use for safely keeping the gun condition 1 so that you can fit an extra round in the tube and you don't give away your position by the chambering of a round if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use your HD shotgun. The clack clack of a shotgun forend and the bad guy shits his pants argument is best left to the movies. The element of suprise is a far greater asset in a real situation.

 

[icyclefar]

Something that you can use for safely keeping the gun condition 1 so that you can fit an extra round in the tube and you don't give away your position by the chambering of a round if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use your HD shotgun. The clack clack of a shotgun forend and the bad guy shits his pants argument is best left to the movies. The element of suprise is a far greater asset in a real situation.

and in that split second when you want to disengage, or even verify that your safety is off, it's kind of nice to have it at the tip of your index finger.

almost forgot ........... plus one to you Sir

 

[Madball13]

IMO, the best Mossberg is the one you realized was junk and got an 870. If yuo get a chance to do a side by side with a 500 and a 870 i think you'll fin the 870 to be much better built.

 

[BOBKATT]

IMO, the best Mossberg is the one you realized was junk and got an 870. If yuo get a chance to do a side by side with a 500 and a 870 i think you'll fin the 870 to be much better built.

Care to elaborate on better built? I prefer the Mossberg. I find that having the shell lifting mechanism stay in the up position provides for much easier and less painful reloading, the two extractors vs. 1 on the 870 add some fault tolerance to the reliability, and the position of the safety if you are not using a pistol grip stock is far superior to the 870 because you do not have to move your trigger finger from it's position. The basic argument for the better built case seems to be the mossberg aluminum reciever vs. the remington steel reciever. However this is a non-issue because the Mossberg bolt locks into the barrel not the reciever. So that is actually a nice feature because it makes the gun more lighter.

What say you?

 

[Starvin]

$ is also a factor for me. Mossberg seems to be cheaper by a small margin, and If you get what you pay for, I am okay with that in this instance.

Of the different varieties of 500/590's, which one would be a best fit for me?

 

[Madball13]

Care to elaborate on better built? I prefer the Mossberg. I find that having the shell lifting mechanism stay in the up position provides for much easier and less painful reloading, the two extractors vs. 1 on the 870 add some fault tolerance to the reliability, and the position of the safety if you are not using a pistol grip stock is far superior to the 870 because you do not have to move your trigger finger from it's position. The basic argument for the better built case seems to be the mossberg aluminum reciever vs. the remington steel reciever. However this is a non-issue because the Mossberg bolt locks into the barrel not the reciever. So that is actually a nice feature because it makes the gun more lighter.

What say you?

I say having shot and handled the 870 and the 500 and fingered banged them both multiple times i find the action in the 500 clunky and loud and not smooth. The 870 to me seems to have a smoother action whether it's new or a seasoned model. I go by feeling on a gun and overall handling since i hunt and shoot clays.

I would much rather have a steel milled receiver than an aluminum any day regardless of weight especially if shooting 3" magnum loads.

Safeties, never use them and besides with a standard stock the safety can be turned off with the trigger finger and with a pistol grip stock it's an ideal location.

 

[BOBKATT]

I say having shot and handled the 870 and the 500 and fingered banged them both multiple times i find the action in the 500 clunky and loud and not smooth. The 870 to me seems to have a smoother action whether it's new or a seasoned model. I go by feeling on a gun and overall handling since i hunt and shoot clays.

Yes. I have had the same experience. Mossberg's action seems loose, but that is okay for a home defense gun. Loose tolerances mean reliability.

I would much rather have a steel milled receiver than an aluminum any day regardless of weight especially if shooting 3" magnum loads.

I would rather have the steel as well. Especially like you said for the weight. I find the balance to be thrown off as well with the aluminum.

Safeties, never use them and besides with a standard stock the safety can be turned off with the trigger finger and with a pistol grip stock it's an ideal location.

How about turned on? The beauty of the Mossberg is you have on/off right under your thumb and your trigger finger isn't fumbling up, over, under, and around the trigger guard. In a situation where you are clearing a house you want your trigger finger to stay put to avoid a ND.

 

[Madball13]

Yes. I have had the same experience. Mossberg's action seems loose, but that is okay for a home defense gun. Loose tolerances mean reliability.



I would rather have the steel as well. Especially like you said for the weight. I find the balance to be thrown off as well with the aluminum.



How about turned on? The beauty of the Mossberg is you have on/off right under your thumb and your trigger finger isn't fumbling up, over, under, and around the trigger guard. In a situation where you are clearing a house you want your trigger finger to stay put to avoid a ND.

Meh, personally not super concerned with safety. But your right for a HD gun it works for most people.